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Student life-after you start

Top tips for freshers’ week

Everything you need to know about freshers’ week, student halls, freshers’ activities and beyond, so your start to uni is a success!

Students Relaxing In Bedroom Of Campus Accommodation

CONTENTS

  1. Arriving

  2. Freshers’ week and beyond

  3. Living

  4. Staying safe

Freshers’ week is your chance to meet new people, get to know your university, settle into your new home and have fun! These top tips will give you a good idea of how to make the most of it and what to expect.

Get familiar with your university by looking through the welcome emails sent to you. Here, you should find your timetable online and see what other information is already available. Follow your university’s various social media channels for the latest information and advice before and throughout your first year.  

You can buy kit such as stationery or kitchenware before arriving for freshers’ week, but you don’t need to get everything. It’ll be easy enough to sort things out when you’re there and many universities have their own campus shop where you can get more supplies. 

You’ll also need to set up your own bank account and may want an interest-free student overdraft to help with the costs of university. However, make sure you don’t spend this unnecessarily. It’s there to help you when you need it most as a safety net. Be aware that this is not free money; you’ll eventually have to pay this back once you finish your studies. 

Arrive as soon as you can, once you’re allowed to move into your halls of residence. This means you’ll start making friends and can check out the surroundings before everyone arrives. Get unpacked early – you’ll be busy in the days that follow, so it’s a good idea to make your place as comfortable as possible from the get-go.  

You can begin settling in by getting to know the area. Start with your halls – where’s the laundry room, reception, friend’s flat? Then, move on to your wider surroundings. Think along the lines of: where are you going to do a ‘proper’ food shop? What will your route to lectures be? How much is living in this city really going to cost you? 

Help and support 

Feel free to use the help available to you. Early on, you’ll meet your personal tutor and other department staff whose jobs are to support you when necessary. There will probably also be dedicated student support teams made up of student mentors, and the Students’ Union is on-hand if you need extra support. 

A lot of freshers’ week events are held for new students during the start of first term and the weeks that follow, so make the most of it. Go to the freshers’ fair – this is your chance to have a look at what societies are on offer.  

Societies provide the perfect opportunity to pursue your extracurricular interests, no matter how bizarre they may seem. Freshers’ fairs are also packed with freebies. You’ll probably get enough pens to last the year, as well as food vouchers or a few bits for your new flat. 

Local nightclubs usually host music events for students with discounted drinks and entry. Depending on your university, they may also have their own events at the SU bar. 

Be sensible with money 

Work out a budget and stick to it. Use a budgeting app on your phone to keep track of your spending. Too many students spend way too much money during the early weeks and are relying on 20p noodle packs by the end of semester one. 

Plus, your student loan may not arrive in your bank account straight away so don’t turn up completely empty-handed. It’s also good to note that your student loan may not land in your bank account in time to pay rent, so this is where an overdraft is helpful to avoid calling your parents in a panic. See our guide on how to budget at university and finding student jobs.  

Eat well 

As you’re not living at home anymore, you’re now responsible for your diet. Make sure to stay healthy by eating fruit and veg as well as carbs and protein. Don’t just rely on takeaways – your bank account will thank you for this, too. 

Big, less frequent food shops can be a good idea. A bulk shop will cost you a great deal less than daily trips to the local express store, and it means you’ve always got something to eat at home. If you’re not sharing or cooking together, cook in bulk and keep things refrigerated or store them in the freezer. This is a far more cost-effective way of looking after yourself. 

Making friends 

It may seem scary at first, but remember that everyone is in a similar boat. They are all new to the university and looking to make friends. Say hello and chat to other students when you’re queuing to register or waiting to enter a lecture. Most will appreciate you making the first move and you never know; they could become a close friend. 

In your student halls, try not to shut yourself away in your room while your new flat mates get to know each other – get out and introduce yourself. Keep your door open when everyone is moving in, and offer help if they need it. Be present and friendly, especially in the first few days – the awkwardness will ease in no time! 

Be a good flatmate 

Try to maintain a friendly relationship with your flatmates – it’ll make living issues much easier. Whether you are friends or not, living with a group of people is a team game. Help out with the washing up, general cleaning and other household chores. 

Discuss the flat’s food policy early on. What are you sharing? How are you going to make it fair? Some flats go for the ‘all in’ approach which is great for developing relationships, but it can get complicated. Others go for a few shared items e.g. milk, bread, bin bags etc. And others will go for a ‘buy your own’ policy. Whatever you decide, make sure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement. 

Stay safe and responsible on nights out, especially when alcohol is involved. Eat well beforehand, familiarise yourself with the area, and keep an eye on your belongings – particularly your drink. If you’re going home late at night, do so with friends and on trusted transport (e.g. uni bus, certified taxi company). 

University can mean lots of new experiences, but make sure you feel safe and comfortable in everything you do. If in doubt, steer clear. See our pages for a comprehensive guide to staying safe and secure at university – including how safe is your university city? Plus, check out our annual data on the rate of student-relevant crime.

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